Alaska building collapse kills 1 victim, 2nd hospitalized

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — A building collapse in Alaska Friday evening killed one person and briefly trapped two others, including a victim who communicated with firefighters before being freed and transported to a hospital, officials said.

The Anchorage Fire Department confirmed the death of one victim after a building housing the Turnagain CrossFit gym collapsed, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

Anchorage Mayor Dave Bronson tweeted that the fire department and the Anchorage Police Department responded to reports of the building collapse at 5:25 p.m.

Fire department Assistant Chief Brian Partch said more than 10 people were inside when the building collapsed and three were trapped in the structure east of Old Seward Highway, the Anchorage Daily News reported.

One person inside the building was located by firefighters, who were able to speak to the victim who was then extricated and taken to a hospital, Partch said.

“We had our search and rescue crews jump in and they started shoring up the building to make it safe for the rescuers and to protect the individual who was trapped in the building,” Partch said.

Fire department Assistant Chief Alex Boyd said another person escaped the building without assistance and was treated at the scene by first responders, the newspaper reported.

Partch said first responders were working with Municipality of Anchorage engineers and others to stabilize the building debris to recover the deceased victim, who was not immediately identified.

Bronson thanked the fire and police departments for their “incredible response” and professionalism and said he and his wife were praying for the loved ones of the deceased victim.

“Our hearts go out to the family & friends of the person whose life was lost,” Bronson said in a tweet.